It's not every day you see something come back from extinction. However, from the depths of a slough, this mid-80s Toyota Tercel has not only come back, it's come back in nearly perfect condition. Craig Erick was notified by his son that there was a Tercel for sale just north of Swift Current. After paying the owner $200, they pulled it out of a slough where it had been resting, baking under the sun for a year. However, there must have been some anti-rust solution in that Saskatchewan brine, because there is virtually no rust at all on this time capsule. "I had to replace the exhaust system, cause that was a little rusty," said Erick. "But that's it! There's no other rust on the entire thing." Pulled out in the early spring, the Tercel passed a safety inspection and was back on the road in time for the start of the summer. Under the Hood, this unit is powered by its original single overhead cam, four-cylinder, 1.5-litre engine. When first produced in the late 70s, this workhorse only made 60 horsepower from the factory. Over the years, the 1.5-litre would eventually make as much as 93 horsepower in later models. "I'm pretty sure it only makes 65 horsepower," laughed Erick. "I've actually taken it up to 120 kilometres per hour, not a word of a lie, on the highway. It didn't complain at all." These engines are famous for reliability, with some reports of them lasting for over 400,000 kilometres at most, with an average lifespan of roughly 150,000 to 250,000 kilometres. One part that has failed on this two-door unit is the ignition tumbler. Where the key used to go, a spoon now does the trick. "Yah, I start the ignition with a spoon," said Erick. "The tumbler needs to be replaced, but it passed safety!" While not overly roomy, it will fit four adults semi-comfortably. "I actually had friends down and I made them all get in," said Erick. "Then we went to OJ's." Some of the more interesting details on the vehicle include a door sticker that resembles a coat of arms or heraldry of some kind, with a clear outline of a beaver on top. Erick isn't sure what exactly the car was used for. If anyone recognizes the vehicle, they are encouraged to fill him in at the next car show he attends. "I don't know if it was a pizza delivery car or what," said Erick. He is currently in the midst of deciding what to do with his 80s time machine. This vehicle used to be everywhere, but is now such a rarity that it might be the only 80s model still running on Swift Current streets. "I didn't know if a guy should leave it the way it is and just maintain it, or if you actually take it and clear coat it," said Erick. "I don't want to wrap it cause at that point I'd rather just paint it." For now, the plan is to park it inside for the winter to help keep it rust-free. He adores how unique this vehicle is, and so too do the people who approach him at car shows. The car brought back many a high school memory for people who were dropped off at those places in their lives once they saw the Tercel roll up. "That's why I love it," said Erick. "It's not very often you run into something like this. They're all rusted away and gone, so it's awesome to have found this one." Under the Hood is powered by Great West Auto Electric, your local Bumper to Bumper dealer in Swift Current. Long live your car.